New user-friendly GIS website up and running

10/4/2017 8:56:17 AM

By John Pilati

A new website recently introduced by Franklin County revenue commissioner Veronica Stancil will make access to Franklin County maps and property information easier, and it may save users a trip to the courthouse in the process.

The Geographic Information System, or GIS, mapping website is isv.kcsgis.com/al.franklin_revenue. Stancil said the new website is more user-friendly and easier to navigate than the previous one.

While many of the users will be realtors, surveyors, attorneys and abstractors of title, the public will also find the site useful for information ranging from acreage to appraised values, dwellings, tax information and ownership of parcels of land.

“If you are buying property and want to know who owns property around it, this is a useful site,” Stancil said. “So far, we’ve received some real good feedback from users.”

Developed by Keets Consulting Services of Pelham, the GIS mapping website offers a variety of navigation and search tools, map tools, a Google street view of property and a easy-to-use help system if users have any questions or problems.

“If someone’s on there and needs help, they can send an email directly to Keets, and they will get prompt assistance and a response usually within two to five minutes,” Stancil said.

Stancil said the system was paid for out of funds in the revenue commissioner’s reappraisal budget. The Keets program is used by several nearby counties, and Stancil reviewed those sites before deciding to go with the company.

The site has been up almost three weeks, and Stancil said that more people were learning about it everyday. She hopes to have input from users about information they would like to see provided on the website.

“I’ve told the realtors that if there are things they use that aren’t on there, it’s real simple to add,” Stancil said. “We’re trying to help people save time and allow them to make fewer visits to the courthouse for information.”

Property record information is available on all parcels in a printable format. That property record card includes the owner’s name and address, deed book, page and date, legal description of the parcel, acreage, improvement details, extra features on the parcel and all improvements located on the land.

For more information on the new website, contact the Franklin County revenue commissioner at 256-332-8837.